Published on 6/26/2026
The death toll from the two earthquakes that struck Venezuela, on Wednesday evening, rose to 235 dead and 4,300 injured, according to what the official authorities announced, while efforts continue to search for survivors under the rubble of buildings that collapsed as a result of the two earthquakes.
Venezuelan Health Minister Carlos Alvarado Gonzalez told state media on Thursday: “Unfortunately, our health facilities received about 235 infected people who arrived without vital signs, or died immediately upon arrival.”
The number of deaths and injuries is expected to rise, with thousands reported missing as a result of the earthquakes, which measured 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale. The two earthquakes that struck the country on Wednesday evening were among the strongest in Venezuela in more than a century, and were felt throughout the region.
The US Geological Survey warned that the expected death toll from the disaster would be in the thousands, and did not rule out that the number could exceed 10,000.
A website created to track missing persons – and shared by opposition leaders in the country, many of whom reside outside Venezuela – included the names of more than 35,000 people on the list of missing people after 1:30 pm local time (17:30 GMT).
Relentless efforts to rescue the stranded
Rescue efforts and the search for survivors continue under the rubble in the affected areas, and terrified residents in the cities of northern Venezuela have poured into the streets, searching for missing people amid the rubble.
Rescue teams were able to extract hundreds of wounded from under the rubble, covered in dust and blood, including children and pets. Venezuelan state television showed poignant footage of rescue operations, including a woman who was trapped under a concrete slab with only her bare foot visible, before crews succeeded in getting her out alive.
However, only a few government search teams have been spotted outside the capital, Caracas, while Venezuelans wander areas suffering from a shortage of relief teams, trying in vain to rescue their loved ones trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
The coastal region of La Guaira, north of the capital, Caracas, suffered the most severe damage and human losses. The country’s main airport is located there and was closed due to severe damage, complicating relief efforts.
Aids and obstacles
Offers of aid and supplies came from all over the world, including the United States, which had arrested former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the beginning of the year in a surprise military operation.
In response to this devastation, the US Treasury moved, on Thursday, to temporarily waive some of the sanctions it imposes on Venezuela until next October 23. To make room for transactions and actions related to post-earthquake relief efforts that would normally be prohibited under the sanctions.
The United States also allocated $150 million in aid after the two earthquakes, of which $50 million will be allocated to local humanitarian organizations, and $100 million will be allocated to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The US State Department said in a statement that two ambulance and missing persons teams will also be deployed on the ground.
The US military also announced that the United States will send two warships, transport aircraft, and helicopters to provide logistical support to Venezuela.
Many countries announced their willingness to assist in rescue efforts, including Qatar, Canada, China, Turkey and Iran. Countries including Switzerland, Spain, and France also announced sending rescue teams and equipment to Venezuela to contribute to rescue operations.
Despite the above, reports indicate that rescue efforts are progressing slowly, as many victims are still trapped under the rubble despite nearly two days having passed since the disaster occurred, amid fears that time is running out to rescue the stranded and injured who are struggling to survive.
